What Is Xbox Live Labs?

Xbox Live Users: Microsoft wants to do science with you. In an effort to improve the Xbox Live Network, Microsoft would like you to download and run Xbox Live Labs, an application that will test your network connectivity.

Here's how it works: Turn on Xbox LIVE and head over to the community channel. There you’ll see the Xbox LIVE Labs panel. Click on it to download the testing app and the rest is pretty much self-explanatory.

While you're running the application, you will not be able to participate in other Xbox LIVE activities, such as gaming, watching movies or downloading music, while running Xbox LIVE Labs, and your Internet connectivity may be slower than usual.

"What's in it for me??" you may be asking. Here's what: Three unique avatar clothing items -- lab coat, brain helmet, and crazy mad scientist hair-- as well as three unique, zero-point achievements.